HIGHWAYS: North Carolina DOT kicks off Fortify project

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) commenced work on the Fortify project Monday night, which will replace 11.5 miles of I-40 and I-440 near Raleigh. Crews will start by drilling core samples and testing lane striping removal methods.  

NCDOT is enacting Fortify as part of a 10-year plan to improve traffic flow throughout the Triangle region. According to the agency, the pavement on I-40 and I-440 is 30 years old and showing significant cracking and crumbling. The major focus of the project will be rebuilding the two interstates. There are also plans to extend two miles of auxiliary lanes to improve traffic flow and rehabilitate 14 bridges within the project area.

Initial reports are that the project will be broken into two stages: Stage one, already underway, will focus on rebuilding I-440; stage two, set to begin in late 2014, will shift work to I-40. Granite Construction Co. and RS&H Architects were awarded the $130 million contract for the project back in May.

NCDOT said the project is scheduled for completion by the fall of 2016.